Moisturisers are a staple part of any skincare routine and are far more important to your skin’s health than you may initially believe. Keep reading to learn more…
What is a moisturiser?
Whether your skin is dry or oily, moisturising daily is important to help keep it hydrated and supple and promote a strong skin barrier (yes, you still need moisturiser when you are oily!). It does this by providing an occlusive and/or emollient layer over the skin, helping it to retain water and smoothing its appearance. Think of it like your coat of armour.Choosing a moisturiser will partly come down to your texture preference, but as a general rule, opt for lightweight, oil-free gel-cream formulas if you have an oilier skin type and creamy, richer textures if you’re on the drier side.
Moisturisers can also be boosted with active ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide and ceramides to help improve skin health, address specific concerns and protect the skin from the environment.
Types of moisturisers:
There are a number of different types of moisturisers available, and finding the perfect one for you may take a little trial and error, but you’re guaranteed to find one that works for you.-
Cream - All skin types, although richer formulas are better for dry skin.
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Milk/fluid - Great for balanced - oily skin or those that dislike the feeling of cream on their face.
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Gel/Gel-cream - Ideal for oilier skin types who prefer a lightweight formula. Particularly great in the summer or on holiday!
Here are some of our favourites:
The Inkey List Omega Water Cream
Glow Recipe Watermelon Moisturiser
PSA: You do not need to use a separate night cream. You can use the exact same moisturiser for your AM routine as your PM. However, if your daytime cream contains SPF, it's best to choose an alternative for the nighttime. Night creams tend to be slightly thicker in texture and may contain more repairing active, but beyond that, it is just marketing and labelling.
Benefits:
Wondering why you need to use a moisturiser in your routine? Here’s why…
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Boosts hydration levels and prevents water loss
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Nourishes dry skin and prevents flaking
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Smooths fine, dehydration lines
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Keeps skin supple and smooth
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Seals in the benefits of the products applied beforehand
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Prevents irritation and sensitivity by reinforcing the skin barrier
Oil vs moisturiser:
A common question that we get asked is whether you need to use both an oil and moisturiser. In short, no, but they can work wonderfully together, particularly if you have very dry skin or find you need extra nourishment during the winter.You can also swap your moisturiser for a facial oil in your evening routine. Just make sure you still use hydrating products in the rest of your routine, as oils do not hydrate the skin. This leads us to our next point nicely…
Hydrate vs moisturise:
‘Hydration’' is the process of adding/attracting water to the skin, whereas 'moisturisation' describes keeping that water locked in. Most oils do the latter, whereas moisturisers can do both if they are formulated with humectant and occlusive/emollient ingredients – although their main purpose is to help prevent water loss.Application tips:
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Use 2-3 blueberries worth of moisturiser, depending on the size of your face.
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Allow time for your moisturiser to absorb before moving on to your next step.
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As a general rule, moisturiser goes on before SPF.
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If your skin is feeling extra dry, mix a drop of facial oil in with your moisturiser or layer over the top during the evening.
Shop the Skin Rocks Moisturisers here.
Words by Katie - Team Skin Rocks
Qualifications - BTEC, Beauty Therapy Applied Sciences